ambivalence

[ am-biv-uh-luhns ]
See synonyms for: ambivalenceambivalent on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. uncertainty or fluctuation, especially when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.

  2. Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing that individual in opposite directions.

Origin of ambivalence

1
First recorded in 1910–15; ambi- + valence
  • Also am·biv·a·len·cy .

Other words from ambivalence

  • am·biv·a·lent, adjective

Words Nearby ambivalence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ambivalence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ambivalence

ambivalence

ambivalency

/ (æmˈbɪvələns) /


noun
  1. the simultaneous existence of two opposed and conflicting attitudes, emotions, etc

Derived forms of ambivalence

  • ambivalent, adjective

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